SPOT THE SIGNS OF STRESS

SPOT THE SIGNS OF STRESS

by Dr Alan Black, Managing Director of Blackwell Associates Ltd.

Pressure is a natural aspect of everyday life that helps us to achieve goals, particularly inside the workplace. For many organisations, pressure is an integral part of modern living and when properly managed, can drive the growth of a business by motivating employees to meet targets, progress professionally, and feel mentally stimulated. 

Without a manageable and safe level of pressure, organisations run the risk of a bored workforce that is low in productivity, retention, and morale. In short, a degree of pressure can bring positive benefits to both employees and the business.  

However, when workplace demands outstrip workforce capacity, and too much is asked of an individual who is already struggling to cope, further pressure is likely to result in work-related stress which can manifest itself physically, mentally and behaviourally. 

Common signs include insomnia, sweating, loss of appetite and poor concentration levels, as well as feeling anxious and irritable, with a tendency to develop headaches, muscle pain and vertigo. 

These symptoms can play havoc on a company's bottom line and overall performance, as stressed employees are more likely to take long-term sickness absence in order to seek medical advice and recover. In total, 9.9 million working days were lost last year due to stress, as reported by the Health and Safety Executive.

Stress Management

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all employers have a legal responsibility to safeguard the health and safety of employees, including their mental and emotional wellbeing.

When it comes to stress, common risk factors can include difficult working relationships with colleagues, lack of managerial support, poor communication and excessive workload.  Often however, pressure not related to work, such as financial worries or a breakdown in a relationship, can reduce the ability of an individual to cope with additional pressure from other sources.

It's therefore in the best interests of both employer and employee to reduce stress levels as far as reasonably practicable with the help of the Health & Safety Executive’s guidance and by working closely with an occupational health specialist to assess the risks involved and put the appropriate, preventative measures in place.

Occupational health practitioners can support those who are currently suffering with stress to either remain in work or facilitate their return, whilst also training line managers on how to recognise the symptoms of stress and understand when and how to mitigate. 

Managers are often the first to spot the signs of stress in an employee, such as a change in productivity, attitude, or quality of work, and therefore are best placed to take the necessary action to eliminate any stressors, whether by redistribution of workload or by providing more support to employees.

Whilst it is a line manager's responsibility to oversee the welfare needs of others, it's also important that they don't neglect their own.

According to research by AXA PPP Healthcare (2015), senior managers are at a far greater risk of suffering from work-related stress than any other occupational group, with almost half (48 per cent) saying they feel constantly stressed, compared to 1 in 4 of other employees.

For this reason, Blackwell Associates also offer companies executive medicals to determine if senior members of staff are impacted by high levels of stress and advise on the best pathway to recovery, without necessarily taking time off work. 

Healthy Employees, Healthy Business.

Occupational health plays a crucial role in encouraging and maintaining the health and wellbeing of employees, which in turn boosts the productivity, performance and profitability of businesses. 

By understanding the potential causes of stress, training employees to spot the signs, monitoring performance and implementing measures to reduce stress, employers have the opportunity to ensure pressure remains a positive factor in the workplace, without risking the health of employees.

Dr Alan Black is the Managing Director of occupational health provider, Blackwell Associates Ltd.

To learn more about Blackwell Associates Ltd and the health services it provides to individuals and organisations, visit blackwellassociates.co.uk or call 028 9065 6131.

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